Cate Blanchett On The Goddess Of Death's Strength and Motivation In 'Thor: Ragnarok'

Published Oct 12, 2017
By Jenn Fujikawa

Marvel's first cinematic female villain is out to claim her throne.

As Marvel’s first on-screen female villain, Cate Blanchett exemplifies the Goddess of Death from Hela’s headdress, to her villainous heart. Hela is out to take the title of evilest villain away from the Loki, a distinction she seems to easily embody from head to toe. Blanchett talked to Marvel.com about Hela’s powerful presence and how her fashionable ensembles even play a part in creating her enigmatic personality.

Blanchett wasn’t familiar with the character of Hela before production, but in her mind that only helped her performance, “What I like about playing her is that I really didn’t know anything about her and that’s really exciting. I mean obviously, the deep, hard core fan base would know a lot about her, but there was kind of a really interesting process of discovery for me.”

Hela has a lot of power and conveying her prowess has been a work in progress, “Very early on, I threw a lot of ideas into the ring with Taika—and with the motion capture people, and the Special Effects crew— and they took that and ran with it, so it’s been evolving. So it’s like what if I shot this out, what would happen if I play with my cape. It really has been an organic thing, it’s been quite loose actually, but she’s got a lot of power.”

Blanchett talked about taking on the mantle of being Marvel’s first on-screen female villain, “I think you only feel pressure if you think this is the only shot that women will have—you know, which is ridiculous. I mean, there’s a huge female fan base and having a daughter myself, you want them to be able to identify with those that are on that the end of the spectrum as well as the heroes.”

“So I didn’t feel pressure, I was super excited because but then it’s like with any film, whether it’s an action film or a small indie drama, it depends on who’s looking down the lens and when it’s Taika, that for me was a really exciting thing.”

Hela’s powerful presence is enhanced by her menacing look. Blanchett explained how the Goddess of Death’s attire played a part in her role, “I’ve tried—with the makeup, hair people, and all of the different departments—to give her a kind of a visual journey so that she’s got somewhere to go as she becomes increasingly powerful. That look evolves and calcifies a little bit.”

“You should see Taika’s own illustrations. He’s an incredible artist and so he knows how important it is for the actors to have the complete physical look, so they have a sense of what atmosphere they’re walking into. That really helps so you’re not in a complete blue screen universe with no idea what you’re looking at or what you’re touching.”

As if Hela’s style wasn’t enough to express the strength of her powers, her desire for chaos is the catalyst for her reign. Having been banished for a long time, Hela is out to make her mark. “I think it’s very interesting to bring the concept of Death into a world that’s ostensibly immortal. You know, you look at the Western world and in most cultures, Death has been banished from the world in which most Western people live.”

“And as a result, I think it’s made life rather screwed up. So I think that there’s a side of death which can be gentleman-kind and there’s a side of death which can be brutal and savage, depending on whose death it is,” explained Blanchett about how the Goddess of Death doesn’t see anything wrong with her worldview. “But I think that there’s a lot of unresolved issues that she has with Asgard, that when she doesn’t meet people who are receptive to her—I think she’s quite bewildered as to why people are frightened of her—but the more havoc she wreaks the stronger she becomes.”

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'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' Teaser Trailer

Enter a universe where more than one wears the mask.

The first teaser trailer has been released for the upcoming Sony Pictures animated film, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”

Check out the teaser trailer above for your first look at Miles Morales making his big screen debut!

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the creative minds behind “The Lego Movie” and “21 Jump Street,” bring their unique talents to a fresh vision of a different Spider-Man Universe, with a groundbreaking visual style that’s the first of its kind. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales, and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask.

“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” will be released in theaters Christmas 2018.

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All Roads Lead to Thanos in First Official 'Avengers: Infinity War' Trailer

Published Nov 29, 2017
By Christine Dinh

In theaters May 4.

There was an idea…

The first official trailer for Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” has finally arrived. We began our Marvel Cinematic Universe journey together back in 2008. All roads lead to Thanos next year. Get your first official look at “Avengers: Infinity War” right here on Marvel.com above.

Following the events of “Captain America: Civil War,” the Avengers as we know it no longer exists. Lines were drawn; sides were chosen. The Avengers is nothing more than a team name without any team members. Can Earth’s Mightiest Heroes put aside their differences and unite once more? Do they even stand a chance against the Mad Titan who delights in their failure and desperation? Can they stop his thirst for power and chaos as he begins to collect the Infinity Stones?

“You can fight it. You can run from it. But destiny still arrives.” We know the trailer brought a smile to your face as much as pain and suffering put one on Thanos’ face. Now excuse us while we watch the trailer a thousand more times!

See the culmination of the last decade of the Marvel Cinematic Universe when “Avengers: Infinity War” opens in theaters on May 4, 2018. Stay tuned to Marvel.com, follow @Avengers on Twitter, and Like “The Avengers” on Facebook for the latest on the Avengers and the rest of the MCU as it develops!

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New 'Black Panther' Character Posters Spotlight the Cast

Get a look at the heroes and villains from Marvel Studios' February 16 release.

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” released several new character posters recently, spotlighting the impressive cast from the upcoming film.

Check out the gallery above to see the new looks at Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa/Black Panther, Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, and many more!

“Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

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See 'Thor: Ragnarok' in theaters now!

The God of Thunder has finally arrived as Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok” opens in theaters today. As the mighty Avenger takes on the Goddess of Death, this fight is the biggest battle Thor has faced but he’s changed and ready to face the challenge with a big, green friend by his side.

Executive Producer Brad Winderbaum spoke with Marvel.com about how Thor has evolved throughout his namesake films and just what makes “Ragnarok” stand out from the series.

“Well just as in ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier,’ we kind of broke down some of the real fundamental ideas about the MCU that you took for granted, specifically S.H.I.E.L.D.. I think that also in Phase One, we established this cosmology that involved Asgard and Odin and certain ideas of things that you just thought were eternal and could never change. And what this film does is it breaks them down in a very similar way that ‘Winter Soldier’ broke down S.H.I.E.L.D..”

“Thor: Ragnarok” showcases the evolution of the films for the “Thor” series. Winderbaum explains how Thor is in a different place both physically and mentally, “He’s now spent years on Earth living with the Avengers, hanging out with Tony Stark. He understands Earth’s sensibilities. He’s got a really quick wit, a great sense of humor, he understands sarcasm in a way he didn’t in the first film. And so from a character perspective, we’re bringing all of that personality into space with them.”

“It is a flip on the fish out of water in a way because now he’s not the butt of the jokes, kind of wandering around, you know, not realizing why things are the way they are. He’s looking at the world and bringing a certain sarcasm and irony to this cosmic landscape.”

In what state do we find our hero after the two years Thor has been adventuring leading up to this film? “We kind of find him as like a lone gunslinger,” describes Winderbaum. “A guy who’s been adventuring around the cosmos, for two years right at the top of our movie. So he’s a more savvy version of [himself].”

Hair doth make the God of Thunder and as we see in the trailer, Thor has lost his golden locks which strips him to his core. “There is a worthiness—what helps someone find self worth—at the core of Thor as a character,” revealed Winderbaum. “That theme remains central in this film as it was in the first one. However in the first one, where he was a petulant prince who had to learn humility; in [“Thor: Ragnarok”] he wants to kind of become a better man—to accept himself as a leader—as a king. As someone who can lead Asgard.”

This time around Thor gets a little help from an old friend. Winderbaum talked about how Hulk came to be an important figure in the “Ragnarok” story. “In the earliest development, we were looking at Planet Hulk as inspiration. Maybe not even to integrate the Hulk into the franchise but the idea of a planet where there’s gladiatorial games as a Thor predicament was really a cool idea to us. Somewhere in the early conversations when it looked like it was going that way, it was a no brainer. As soon as that sparked—it ignited kind of an idea machine—and suddenly he was married to the plot.”

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Zoe Bell Returns to Stunt Work with 'Thor: Ragnarok'

Published Oct 26, 2017
By Jenn Fujikawa

Will Hela defeat the God of Thunder?

Hela, the Goddess of Death, is so formidable it took two fierce woman to take on the role of Marvel’s first female villain. In “Thor: Ragnarok”—alongside Cate Blanchett’s performance—Zoe Bell returned to stunt work to bring the goddess to life.

Marvel.com talked with Bell about creating Hela’s unique movements and what it was like to join the ranks as one of the most memorable miscreants in the Marvel universe.

The process of creating movements for the Goddess of Death was collaborative. “I start figuring out moves that I know she clearly looks more comfortable with, and then between Cate and myself and the guys, we start shifting things so it fits better, and what Cate’s bringing to the character. Then Cate will ask my advice or my input,” said Bell. “This particular separation has been really clever. It’s been a really satisfying process.”

“I haven’t done a whole bunch of motion capture myself,” revealed Bell. “Ironically I sort of stepped away from stunts. This is my coming out of retirement for this one.”

Having gone from stunts right into acting, Bell saw her stunt colleagues start working with motion capture. For Bell, the goal remained the same. “My biggest advice to Cate—and most of the actors I’ve worked with—has always been, we just need to get you as comfortable as possible with whatever you can so that you are relaxed enough to bring the emotion stuff, because that’s what we need the most. The rest of it, if there are any holes—we can fill it.”

For actors who aren’t that familiar with stunt work, the idea can be a little trepidatious. “I think there was a minute where she was just like, I don’t think I can do all of this. So we showed her the bits that we absolutely needed and once she felt comfortable with it, then she actually was like—alright, give me a little bit more—okay, I can probably do that.” Bell explained, “You know, that’s sort of truth for most people, once you take away the onslaught feeling then people realize they’re more capable. She’s far more capable than I think she gives herself credit for.”

Hela is a big presence to say the least, and her headdress takes on a life of its own. “It has been a bit of a consideration for us in terms of our movements but then it also it’s been so collaborative between the departments. It’s my job to work around Cate to make Hela look as amazing as I can. Whatever I can, I add and then it’s their job to work around what they have in the physical world—to embellish on it and make it look amazing.”

So what brought Bell back into the world of stunt work? “Ben Cooke first and foremost and then when Taika came aboard.” Shooting her in native New Zealand was a big plus as well, “I haven’t shot this close to home in over 15 years.”

“Working with Cate was just, even as an actor just to sit and watch her—people would pay money to do that and to be a part of the Marvel family.” Being able to work alongside and learn from the award-winning actress also seemed to seal the deal. “You hire Cate for obvious reasons. We want her to feel as comfortable as possible to bring that power and that energy and that, you know, Blanchett to it. She’s been amazing. She’s been one of my favorites which is a big deal ‘cause I’ve worked with some pretty amazing women.”

Find out if Hela defeats the God of Thunder when “Thor: Ragnarok” opens in theaters on November 3rd!

Hear what awaits the film’s heroes and their unlikely team formation, the Revengers, from the stars themselves as we march towards Ragnarok on November 3. With over a week to go, you don’t have to wait long until you can finally see all the action yourself!